Recent Stories

“Some say Americans today are in the midst of another civil war over the Constitution. If so, it’s a battle among elites. Most common folks, I think, still believe in the Constitution, even if they could use a refresher course.”

Have news you or your group would like to share? Let us know by emailing it to info@worcester.ma. Be sure to include a link to the full release on your site or Facebook page so we can include it and send Sun members your way.

ByMatt Murphy | State House News Service | September 19, 2017

In a letter delivered to lawmakers, 90 economists conclude that “raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021 will be an effective means of improving overall living standards for low-wage workers and their families and is likely to contribute to a general improvement in economic conditions.”

“Basically everything is the same as it was in 1967. The fryolators, counter and back room are still in the same location. Of course, we’ve had some upgrades over the years but the layout is exactly the same as the original,” Patti Foley said. “I’m very fortunate and blessed that we keep going. I have a lot of regular customers. So without them, I’d never be here.”

Following her first meeting as a member of the new commission, former Leominster lawmaker Jennifer Flanagan faced a barrage of questions from reporters about whether she had ever smoked marijuana. Find out what she told veteran Worcester reporter Richard Nangle about that, Milford’s vote to ban retail marijuana facilities, and the difficulties of getting the fledgling industry off the ground.

“A Worcester company has become the 13th and final firm whose name will appear on the New Flag of the United States of America. For $2 trillion, D&A Cybernetics purchased the rights to place its moniker and logo within the red bottom stripe of the flag.”

“That morning I left with the intention that I would stay in school all day. I was wrong. I did not have the school uniform, neither did I have the admission. I returned to Motema in tears. A lot worked on my mind. It was all geared toward my return to school. It was hard for me. My grandmother was waiting for good news.”

Sen. John McCain’s decision not to support the Republicans’ latest rush to get rid of Obamacare could, with luck, mark a turning point in Congress — toward bipartisanship and fruitful hard work beneficial to all. On healthcare reform, that’s the remedy we’ve been waiting for.

In about 13 months, Charlie Baker and Elizabeth Warren will most likely be the highest-profile candidates on their respective party's ticket. But last week, with the threat of block-granting Medicaid bearing down, they were on the same page. That wasn’t the case for GOP leaders in D.C. Plus, Markey, Sanders, Polito, Evangelidis and the Worcester-Amazon dance.

“Some say Americans today are in the midst of another civil war over the Constitution. If so, it’s a battle among elites. Most common folks, I think, still believe in the Constitution, even if they could use a refresher course.”

Have news you or your group would like to share? Let us know by emailing it to info@worcester.ma. Be sure to include a link to the full release on your site or Facebook page so we can include it and send Sun members your way.

In the Wednesday Sun

In a letter delivered to lawmakers, 90 economists conclude that "raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021 will be an effective means of improving overall living standards for low-wage workers and their families and is likely to contribute to a general improvement in economic conditions."

“Basically everything is the same as it was in 1967. The fryolators, counter and back room are still in the same location. Of course, we’ve had some upgrades over the years but the layout is exactly the same as the original,” Patti Foley said. “I’m very fortunate and blessed that we keep going. I have a lot of regular customers. So without them, I’d never be here.”

ByBy Vanita Gupta | President and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights | September 19, 2017

“The Census Bureau needs a steady and significant ramp-up in funding to test new technologies and procedures and to create an effective outreach and advertising campaign. However, the Trump administration’s budget request for next year is woefully inadequate. Necessary testing has already been cut back due to lack of sufficient funds.” The former Obama Administration official details what’s at stake.

The city’s GOP standard-bearer has built an impressive base of support while earnestly serving his community, but that hasn’t stopped columnists and commenters -- a largely liberal set -- from painting the agitating attorney with a Trumpian brush.

Property tax breaks have generally been reserved for corporations. While they have been effective, their use begs the question, “What about residential property?” The City Council last night adopted a limited-use tax break for homeowners. We look at why the city would benefit from working with the state to offer a wide range of tax-break options to those who invest in their property.

Have news you or your group would like to share? Let us know by emailing it to info@worcester.ma. Be sure to include a link to the full release on your site or Facebook page so we can include it and send Sun members your way.

In many municipal elections, candidates have to work hard to show the distinctions between them. Often the differences are a matter of degree – candidates agree more or less on what needs to be done. Not in this one.

Twenty-two questions, 22 unedited answers. Find out what the current mayor told the former mayor about the safety of Worcester, the dual tax rate, #WooSox, and the greatest weaknesses of Augustus and Binienda.

Across the city, few people know his name. Despite the fact that he has been at his job serving the neediest families in South Worcester for more than 40 years, he is relatively unknown – sort of an invisible man.

I enjoy a good political discussion. Since I did not respond to all of the (reader) comments that I would have liked to (in my recent column “Trump must go”), here are some of the things I would have said had I responded.

Chris Sinacola

“Some say Americans today are in the midst of another civil war over the Constitution. If so, it’s a battle among elites. Most common folks, I think, still believe in the Constitution, even if they could use a refresher course.”

“The Railers are one of 27 teams in the ECHL, a league born only in 1988, but which already has 57 former or defunct franchises on its résumé. Will the Railers fare any better than the Greenville Grrrowl or the Huntsville Blast? One hopes so. But does it matter? Why measure the success of sports franchises in terms of money and longevity? Like many other institutions, large and small, they have played a role in our civic life.”

“However much we may feel for anyone caught in the politics of DACA, the key issue is not their moral character or intent, or what becomes of them — it is finding a long-term solution to our immigration questions. Trump has rightly put immigration back with the legislative branch.”

We moderns too often view history in a linear way, assuming that, over time, things will improve and progress. Or, at the least, that the past is gone forever. In Southern Italy, history is better viewed cyclically. Life clings to the rocks here, as it always has.

“I have no interest in apportioning blame for the clashes in Charlottesville. The day’s events were tragic and unnecessary. But that day is done. My interest is in whether we correctly understand the meaning of these events and what comes next.”

The city’s GOP standard-bearer has built an impressive base of support while earnestly serving his community, but that hasn’t stopped columnists and commenters -- a largely liberal set -- from painting the agitating attorney with a Trumpian brush.

Editorials

Sen. John McCain’s decision not to support the Republicans’ latest rush to get rid of Obamacare could, with luck, mark a turning point in Congress — toward bipartisanship and fruitful hard work beneficial to all. On healthcare reform, that’s the remedy we’ve been waiting for.

Property tax breaks have generally been reserved for corporations. While they have been effective, their use begs the question, “What about residential property?” The City Council last night adopted a limited-use tax break for homeowners. We look at why the city would benefit from working with the state to offer a wide range of tax-break options to those who invest in their property.

There’s something new and noticeable on the streets of Worcester: bright-yellow bikes from a sharp young company in China. Adding to the fun, Worcester’s only the second U.S. city to get the ofo bike-sharing system — further proof we’re on a roll.

The double dose of disheartening disclosures in the past week gives us pause to consider the present and future of North Main Street. Grand redevelopment is underway, but when it is complete, will it be a place you want to visit?

Every time an election or town meeting or referendum comes up, the chorus begins anew: The right to vote is a privilege too sacrosanct to take for granted.

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